Ball joint

Abstract

The invention pertains to a ball joint comprising a housing (1) provided with a cylindrical receptacle opening (1a) and a gudgeon (2) arranged in a ball socket (3) made of plastic such that it is able to rotate and pivot within a limited range, wherein the outer surface (3b) of the ball socket that corresponds with the inner diameter of the receptacle opening (1a) is, after the assembly process, fixed in the radial direction and secured in the axial direction by means of annular shoulders (3c,4a), one of which (3c) is situated on an annular flange that surrounds the opening (3a) of the ball socket (3) on the side of the gudgeon. In order to ensure a secure, i.e., large-surface, fixing of the ball socket (3) on the housing (1) in the axial direction despite a simplified manufacture, the annular shoulder (4a) that cooperates with the upper side of the housing (1) is arranged on a ring (4) connected with the ball socket (3), preferably in an inseparable manner by means of ultrasonic welding.

We claim: 
     
       1. Ball joint comprising a housing (1) provided with a cylindrical receptacle opening (1a) and a gudgeon (2) arranged in a ball socket (3) made of plastic such that it is able to rotate and pivot within a limited range, wherein the outer surface (3b) of said ball socket that corresponds with the inner diameter of the receptacle opening (1a) is, after the assembly process, fixed in the radial direction and secured in the axial direction by means of annular shoulders (3c, 4a), one of which (3c) is situated on an annular flange that surrounds the opening (3a) of the ball socket (3) on the side of the gudgeon, characterized by the fact that the annular shoulder (4a) that cooperates with the upper side of the housing (1) is arranged on a ring (4) forming, before the assembly process, a separate member which is, after the assembly process, connected with the ball socket (3) forming a unit with said ball socket. 
     
     
       2. Ball joint according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the ring (4) is inseparably connected with the ball socket (3). 
     
     
       3. Ball joint according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the ring (4) is connected with the ball socket (3) by welding, preferably an ultrasonic welding process. 
     
     
       4. Ball joint according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the ball socket (3) or the ring (4) is provided with an axially protruding, annular extension (3d), with the other component being provided with a corresponding receptacle groove (4b). 
     
     
       5. Ball joint according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that a smaller supplementary groove (4c) is arranged in the base of the receptacle groove (4b). 
     
     
       6. Ball joint according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the ball socket (3) is closed on the side situated opposite to the opening (3a) on the side of the gudgeon, and that said ball socket protrudes from the upper side of the housing (1). 
     
     
       7. Ball joint according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the ball socket (3) is open on its side that is situated opposite to the opening (3a) on the side of the gudgeon, that this side of the ball socket lies inside of the housing (1), and that the ball socket is closed by means of a ring (4) that is realized in the form of a bearing cover. 
     
     
       8. Ball joint according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the ring (4) that is realized as a bearing cover has a cylindrical outer surface (4d) that corresponds with the inner diameter of the receptacle opening (1a) of the housing (1). 
     
     
       9. Ball joint comprising a housing (1) provided with a cylindrical receptacle opening (1a) and a gudgeon (2) arranged in a ball socket (3) made of plastic such that it is able to rotate and pivot within a limited range, wherein the outer surface (3b) of said ball socket that corresponds with the inner diameter of the receptacle opening (1a) is, after the assembly process, fixed in the radial direction and secured in the axial direction by means of annular shoulders (3c,4a), one of which (3c) is situated on an annular flange that surrounds the opening (3a) of the ball socket (3) on the side of the gudgeon, the annular shoulder (4a) that cooperates with the upper side of the housing (1) being arranged on a ring (4) connected with the ball socket (3), one of the ball socket (3) and the ring (4) being provided with an axially protruding, annular extension (3d), with another of the ball socket (3) and the ring (4) being provided with a corresponding receptacle groove (4b). 
     
     
       10. Ball joint according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that a smaller supplementary groove (4c) is arranged in the base of the receptacle groove (4b). 
     
     
       11. Ball joint comprising a housing (1) provided with a cylindrical receptacle opening (1a) and a gudgeon (2) arranged in a ball socket (3) made of plastic such that it is able to rotate and pivot within a limited range, wherein the outer surface (3b) of said ball socket that corresponds with the inner diameter of the receptacle opening (1a) is, after the assembly process, fixed in the radial direction and secured in the axial direction by means of annular shoulders (3c,4a), one of which (3c) is situated on an annular flange that surrounds the opening (3a) of the ball socket (3) on the side of the gudgeon, the annular shoulder (4a) that cooperates with the upper side of the housing (1) being arranged on a ring (4) connected with the ball socket (3), the ball socket (3) being open on its side that is situated opposite to the opening (3a) on the side of the gudgeon, this side of the ball socket lying inside of the housing (1), and the ball socket being closed by means of a ring (4) that is realized in the form of a bearing cover. 
     
     
       12. Ball joint according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the ring (4) that is realized as a bearing cover has a cylindrical outer surface (4d) that corresponds with the inner diameter of the receptacle opening (1a) of the housing (1).